Syrian refugees will need resettling, UN

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Syrian
children, including one who is barefoot, stand atop the muddy ground in
the Bab Al Salame camp for internally displaced persons, near the
border with Turkey, in Aleppo Governorate. Photo:
UNICEF/UNI156534/Diffidenti

29 March 2016 – Supporting refugees is a global responsibility that
must be widely shared, the UN refugee agency stressed today ahead of a
one-day high-level conference it is hosting in Geneva tomorrow, focused
on refugees from Syria and the need for generating a substantial
increase in resettlement and other answers for their plight.

"Refugees fleeing conflict and violence and arriving in Europe
carry an important message: addressing their plight cannot only be the
task of countries and communities that are close to wars. It is a global
responsibility that must be widely shared until peace prevails again,"
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said in a press release.

"Giving at least some Syrian refugees an opportunity to move on
to better lives, and relieving the burden on countries hosting millions
of refugees are important gestures of solidarity. Let us not miss this
opportunity," Mr. Grandi added.

The conference is one of several key events in 2016 focused on Syria's refugees. It follows February's London Conference on Syria,
dealing with the financial dimensions of the humanitarian challenge
posed by the more than 13.5 million people in need inside Syria and the
4.8 million refugees in the surrounding region, along with the needs of
communities in host countries. Tomorrow's gathering is also in the run
up to September's summit on refugees taking place at the UN General Assembly in New York.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
underlined that the focus of tomorrow's meeting is on the need for
expanded, multi-year programmes of resettlement and other forms of
humanitarian admission, including countries that until now have not been
involved in such initiatives.

The dangerous boat ride to Greece through the eyes of a Syrian refugee girl. Credit: UNICEF

The agency also stressed that resettlement is not the only aim –
other such pathways include humanitarian transfer or visas, private
sponsorship, medical evacuation, family reunion, academic scholarship,
and apprenticeships or labour schemes. The event will also showcase
innovative approaches, new partnerships, and successful case studies,
and is being presented as an opportunity for governments around the
world to be part of finding solutions for Syrian refugees.

Representatives from some 92 countries, 10 inter-governmental
organizations, nine UN agencies and 24 non-government organizations are
expected. Speakers will include the High Commissioner Grandi and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, as well as representatives from key refugee-hosting governments.

Some pledges of additional resettlement and other humanitarian
admission places are expected to be announced tomorrow. Given the
complex international context and with Syria's conflict continuing,
UNHCR said additional places will be needed over the coming months and
years, in particular to address the needs of the most vulnerable
refugees and to relieve pressure on Syria's neighbours.

In line with refugee situations elsewhere, UNHCR estimates that
as many as 10 per cent of Syria's 4.8 million refugees fall into this
category, and that well over 450,000 places will be needed before the
end of 2018.

Meanwhile, in connection with tomorrow's conference, the
Campaign Director of Avaaz, Alice Jay, will today be handing over a
petition to Mr. Grandi carrying over 1.2 million signatures in support
of refugees. The petition, collected since last summer calls for
increased resettlement and reunification of families alongside financial
support to countries on the frontline of the crisis.

Avaaz, meaning 'voice,' is a global citizens' movement which
campaigns in 15 languages on six continents. A selection of photographs
and messages of 'Refugees Welcome' from 23,000 Avaaz members around the
world will be shared on a screen outside the conference hall tomorrow.

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